Schumer blocks 12th GOP bid to reopen government as Trump says Democrats ‘lost the negotiation’
The government shutdown meandered into its 22nd day with no end in sight after a 12th GOP attempt to reopen the government was stalled and then blocked by Senate Democrats on Wednesday afternoon. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his caucus kneecapped Republicans’ bid to reopen the government for the 12th time in a 54-46 vote where Republicans needed at least 60 votes to advance the measure. The latest failed vote comes as Schumer has demanded another meeting with President Donald Trump and on the heels of an almost 24-hour filibuster by Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore, that pushed the vote late into Wednesday. During his marathon floor speech, which began at 6:23 pm on Tuesday, Merkley spoke on authoritarianism — what he called the Trump Administration’s overreach on immigration, separation of powers, and more. “Republicans have shut down the government to continue the strategy of slashing Americans’ healthcare,” Merkley said, referring to the healthcare-centered debate holding up consideration of the government’s funding. He concluded his remarks at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Little has changed in the upper chamber since the shutdown began. Schumer and the Senate Democratic caucus demand that there be a real, ironclad deal to extend expiring Obamacare subsidies, while Senate Republicans remain adamant that there is no path forward available on the matter until the government is reopened. SCHUMER REQUESTS MEETING WITH TRUMP ‘ANY TIME, ANY PLACE’ AS DEMOCRAT STALEMATE DRAGS ON But what is old is new in a repeating cycle, and Schumer wants to meet with Trump again. Schumer, speaking on behalf of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., requested another meeting with Trump ahead of the vote in a bid to go around Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and congressional Republicans to secure a deal. There have been informal talks — more casual conversation than true negotiation — between Republicans and Democrats, but nothing has materialized that puts lawmakers any closer to solving the ongoing stalemate. “Hakeem and I reached out to the president today and urged him to sit down and negotiate with us to resolve the healthcare crisis, address it and end the Trump shutdown,” Schumer said. “He should sit — the things get worse every day for the American people. He should sit down with us, negotiate in a serious way before he goes away.” The last time the top congressional Democrats met with Trump came just a day before the climactic vote to avert a shutdown. Neither side walked away with a compromise, or agreement, to keep the lights on. SENATE DEMS EMBOLDENED BY WEEKEND RALLIES BLOCK GOP PLAN TO END SHUTDOWN FOR 11TH TIME Fast-forward to the shutdown’s fourth week, and Trump signaled he’d speak with Schumer and Jeffries — only after the government is reopened. “The government has to be open,” he said. “You know how long it will take for them to do that? Just say, ‘OK, government is open.’ That’s it. There is nothing — They’re not negotiating.” “What they’re doing is saying they lost the negotiation,” Trump continued. “And when we got the great ‘big beautiful [bill]’ done, they lost the negotiation. Now they’re saying, ‘Well, we want to get some of the things we lost.’ But the problem is the things they lost are very bad for our country.” Congressional Democrats’ initial demands, made in a counter-proposal to the House-passed continuing resolution (CR), called for a permanent extension to the enhanced Obamacare premium tax credits and guardrails on Trump’s ability to claw back congressionally approved funding, among other things. SCHUMER’S SHUTDOWN SCHEME EXPLAINED: DEMS DOUBLE DOWN ON OBAMACARE CREDITS AS STANDOFF DRAGS ON A White House official doubled down on Trump’s position and told Fox News Digital, “We will not have policy conversations while the Democrats are holding the American people hostage. Reopen the government.” While Democrats desire more than just an extension to the COVID-19-era subsidy, they’ve made their primary argument all about the tax credits. Thune offered Senate Democrats a vote on the subsidies, but so far they have declined to take the leap and instead are holding out for a guaranteed outcome in the shutdown fight. However, that is unlikely to come as Republicans and the White House, so far, are equally dug in against Schumer’s demands. “I think [Trump] wants the Democrats to take ‘yes’ for an answer,” Thune said. “We’ve offered them a lot of the things they were asking for — a normal appropriations process, an opportunity to get a vote on some of the things that they want to see voted on, with respect to the expiring Obamacare enhanced subsidies. But that can’t happen until we open up the government.”
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Former radical group leader tied to Mamdani on AOC payroll
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… -Florida mayor predicts ‘substantial exodus’ of NYC businesses if Mamdani wins –Jack Smith defends subpoenaing Republican senators’ phone records: ‘Entirely proper’ -Republican calls for public database naming illegal immigrants facing deportation FIRST ON FOX: A former top leader and “lifetime member” of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has been on the payroll of “Squad” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s, D-N.Y., campaign since she first ran for Congress in 2018. Frank Llewellyn, the former director of the largest socialist organization in America and a founding member of the socialist group that would later become DSA’s sister organization, serves as the treasurer for both Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign and her political action committee, Courage to Change. Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign has paid Llewellyn a total of over $250,000 for payroll, travel and other administrative expenses dating back to 2018, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings reviewed by Fox News Digital. Disbursements range from $77.50 for cellphone, travel and internet stipends and salary payments of $1,281 approximately every two weeks…READ MORE. WORST OF WORST: DHS arrests worst of VA illegals in the closing days of campaign DIPLOMACY IN MOTION: Trump meets NATO’s Rutte as Ukraine peace talks take center stage after Zelenskyy visit FINAL PUSH: Trump jumps into New Jersey race as GOP chases rare flip of governor’s seat TOKYO REBOUND: Japan plans to tell Trump it will build up its military after years of 1% defense spending ‘DAYS OF DESTINY’: Vance hails ‘days of destiny’ as VP seeks to build on ceasefire agreement PUTIN SAYS NYET: Trump, Zelensky agree on crucial aspect to end Ukraine war: ‘good compromise’ ALLY TURNED ENEMY: Alliance with US ‘dismantled’ by leftist Petro regime, Colombia’s former defense minister says FAITH UNDER FIRE: Cruz leads Senate push to hold China accountable for Beijing church crackdown HEATED STANDOFF: White House slams Jeffries’ dismissal of bill to pay troops as government shutdown enters day 22 NUMBERS GAME: Trump-backed North Carolina House map approved by lawmakers as Republicans aim to pick up seat MAGA MOMENT: MAGA stars hit campaign trail in blue-leaning New Jersey as Republicans aim to flip governor’s office POLITICAL CALCULUS: Clinton campaign alum urges Jeffries, Schumer not to ‘take the bait,’ get ‘bullied’ into Mamdani endorsement ELECTION INTEGRITY: California Republicans launch voter ID ballot push, need 875K signatures by deadline ‘SHAME ON YOU’: WATCH: Scathing report exposes what New Yorkers think of sanctuary policies as Mamdani victory looms RETURN BID: Former GOP senator emerges from private sector with new mission: ‘Somebody has to step up’ ARMED RESISTANCE: Los Angeles teacher says ICE agents are ‘not the only ones with guns’ after federal shooting Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Miyares demands Jones’ ouster after court doc indicates reckless driving case under further criminal probe
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares blasted Democratic challenger Jay Jones after a court filing indicated the probe into Jones’ I-64 reckless driving arrest remains or is again under criminal investigation. A court filing obtained by Fox News Digital in New Kent County shows that Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick asked to be recused from the case, citing largely unspecified reasons — a move that indicates an investigation remains active. “It is not possible for Jay Jones to fulfill the duties of the attorney general while under an open criminal investigation,” Miyares told Fox News Digital after learning of the document, first reported by National Review. VIRGINIA AG CANDIDATE JAY JONES CONVICTED OF RECKLESS DRIVING, CALLS IT ‘MISTAKE’ “If Jay stays in the race, it shows a contempt for voters never seen in modern Virginia political history.” Miyares said Jones’ text messages envisioning the murder of then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, already disqualified him from the position, but that Wednesday’s news is icing on the proverbial cake. “Now we learn that he may have misled the courts to avoid jail time for recklessly driving 116mph. He has not taken accountability for his words or actions,” Miyares said. WATCH: KAINE DEFENDS JONES AMID AG CANDIDATE’S TEXTS ENVISIONING MURDER OF GOP LEADER: ‘STILL A SUPPORTER’ The order, signed by New Kent County Circuit Judge B. Elliott Bondurant, cites the case Commonwealth v. Jerrauld C. Jones. Bondurant wrote that Renick advised the court he believed it would be “improper for him to act in the matter currently pending in the General District Court in New Kent County, due to a potential conflict.” Without extrapolating the conflict further, Bondurant consented to the request and has appointed James City County Commonwealth’s Attorney Nathan R. Green as special prosecutor. JONES AND MIYARES CLASH OVER MURDER TEXTS AS DEM REPEATEDLY INVOKES TRUMP AT HEATED, HIGH-STAKES DEBATE Green, whose jurisdiction is adjacent to New Kent, is based out of and also includes the independent city of Williamsburg. Green will be able to “exercise all powers of the Attorney for the Commonwealth in this matter,” Bondurant wrote. Questions have also surfaced about the legality and ethics of Jones completing half of his 1,000 community service hours for the reckless driving case through his own political action committee. The remaining 500 hours were logged with the NAACP of Virginia, according to a sworn statement signed by the group’s president, Rev. Cozy Bailey. JASON MIYARES TOUTS RECORD ON CRIME, FENTANYL AS JONES SCANDAL ROILS VIRGINIA RACE Fox News Digital has a pending Freedom of Information Act request with New Kent County for any communications between the committee – MOMPAC – and the county as well as the NAACP and the county. Legal documents obtained by Fox News Digital earlier in October did not indicate whether time logs were also filed along with the sworn certificates of completion of 500 hours each. Jones was also issued a $1,500 fine for the incident. Officials who answered the phone at both the New Kent County Circuit Court and Renick’s office declined to provide details about the investigation referenced in the recusal document, though the court did release a copy of the order to Fox News Digital. Fox News Digital reached out to Jones for comment for purposes of this story but did not hear back by press time.
FLASHBACK: Ted Cruz predicts ballooning Obamacare subsidies now at center of shutdown fight
Over a decade ago, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, predicted that healthcare premiums would skyrocket, even in the face of subsidies put into effect under Obamacare that were meant to bring them down. Today, the ballooning of those premiums and their accompanying subsidies are at the center of the 22-day shutdown that looks poised to get longer still. “Despite Obamacare subsidies, many Americans will still be paying higher premiums in 2014 as a result of Obamacare,” Cruz said in 2013, referring to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). OBAMACARE SUBSIDIES AT CENTER OF DEM SHUTDOWN FIGHT ‘FUEL’ HEALTHCARE COST INFLATION, CONSERVATIVES SAY HOUSE DEMOCRATS THREATEN SHUTDOWN FIGHT TO PROTECT OBAMACARE PERKS In his 2013 floor speech, Cruz pointed to research from Avik Roy, a healthcare researcher who, at the time, was a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. Roy’s research made the case that subsidies passed by the Obama administration would do little to stop government-backed healthcare plans from growing more expensive over time or competing effectively with non-government-backed plans. But even those forecasts have paled in comparison to the costs of the government’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The subsidies under Obamacare have vastly expanded in recent years. An emergency provision included in President Joe Biden’s 2021 American Rescue Plan widened the range of eligible applicants as a response to the global pandemic. Now that those COVID-era provisions are set to sunset at the end of 2025, an expiration date set by Democrats themselves, Democrats are voicing alarm that Obamacare policyholders will have to shoulder the costs of health insurance without the enhanced supplemental aid. ‘THE PANDEMIC’S OVER’: GOP, DEM SENATORS SPAR ON CAMERA OVER COSTLY OBAMACARE SUBSIDIES According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan think tank that focuses on fiscal policy, continuing the expanded credits could cost upwards of $30 billion annually. Findings by KFF, a healthcare policy group, say that over 90% of the 24 million Obamacare enrollees make use of the enhanced credits. KFF analysis indicates that the enhanced premium tax credits saved subsidized enrollees an average of $705 last year. Democrats in Congress, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have demanded some sort of extension to the already expanded COVID-era subsidies as a condition for passing spending legislation to end the current government shutdown, which is now the longest full shutdown in history. Republicans, who maintain that the subsidies are completely unrelated to government funding considerations, have said lawmakers will address the subsidies when the government is open again. The most conservative members in Congress have said cutting back on the subsidies is key to returning the government to pre-COVID levels of funding. Lawmakers in the Senate have voted 11 times on a short-term spending extension meant to keep the government open through Nov. 21 but have so far failed to move past the gridlock over the enhanced premium tax credits. Cruz did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Where might the stolen Louvre jewels end up; will the robbers be caught?
The Louvre Museum in Paris, France, reopened to the public on Wednesday after a jewellery heist prompted a three-day closure. During the robbery, a band of thieves broke into the French capital’s iconic museum and stole eight items of jewellery containing precious jewels from the Napoleonic era on October 19. The robbers are still at large, and the jewels have not been found. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Here is what we know so far about where the jewellery could be, whether it can be traced, and whether the robbers will be found. What was stolen from the Louvre? At 9:30am (07:30 GMT), a group of robbers used a truck-mounted ladder to reach the gilded Galerie d’Apollon (Apollo’s Gallery) on the second floor of the museum before taking an angle grinder to a window to access the French crown jewels. The heist took place around half an hour after the museum opened to the public. The stolen articles were: A tiara from the jewellery set of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense A necklace from the same duo’s sapphire jewellery set A single earring from the sapphire jewellery set An emerald necklace from a set belonging to Empress Marie-Louise A pair of emerald earrings from the Marie-Louise set A brooch known as the “reliquary” brooch The tiara of Empress Eugenie A large brooch of Empress Eugenie The robbers also stole a ninth item, the crown of Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III. But it was recovered nearby, thought to have been dropped by the thieves, according to the French Ministry of the Interior. How much are the stolen items worth? The haul of jewels is worth an estimated 88 million euros ($102m), Paris public prosecutor Laure Beccuau told RTL radio on Tuesday. Advertisement “It is important to remember that this damage is an economic damage, but it is nothing compared to the historical damage caused by this theft,” Beccuau said. Sets of jewelry, including the crown, tiara, and large bodice bow of Empress Eugénie, on display at the Louvre Museum on October 21, 2023 in Paris, France. The Louvre reopened its doors to visitors in Paris on October 22, 2025, three days after thieves stole jewels worth around 88 million euros ($102m) in a daring daytime heist [Zhang Mingming/VCG via Getty Images] Why is this heist different from previous robberies at the museum? This is not the first time the Louvre has been robbed. However, previous robberies have mostly involved the theft of paintings – for example, the Mona Lisa, which was stolen in 1911 – rather than jewels. “A jewellery theft is a very different thing to consider because of the high intrinsic value of the object stolen,” American art historian Noah Charney told Al Jazeera on Tuesday. “A painting doesn’t have a high intrinsic value because it’s usually made of panel and pigment, and canvas and nothing more. Whereas jewellery has a high intrinsic value because if you break down what was stolen and sell the components, the value is still significant,” Charney explained. Where could the jewels be now? The jewels are most likely still in France, Dutch art historian Arthur Brand told Al Jazeera. They could be sold on the black market, but this would reduce their value because of the high risk associated with being in possession of them. “They are very ‘hot’ and the price on the black market will be way below the regular market,” Brand said, estimating that the black-market prices would be between 10 and 30 percent of their value. This means the $102m jewels could sell at between $10.2m and $30.6m on the black market. Charney said the thieves will not need to go to the black market at all if the jewels are recut significantly and no longer identifiable. However, re-cutting gems also reduces their value. If a thief tries to re-cut an antique diamond to a modern shape, they may lose some of the diamond’s size and value. Corinne Chartrelle, a former officer with the French Police’s unit for cultural property trafficking, told Reuters that the stolen jewels could ultimately be sold in major diamond markets such as Antwerp in Belgium, where some buyers may not care about their origins. Alternatively, “they might try to sell the jewels in countries like India, Israel or Dubai,” said Brand. Will the thieves be caught? “The thieves will get caught for sure. Recovering the jewels is 50 percent – depends on the time it will take to arrest the thieves,” Brand said. Advertisement Public prosecutors have tasked the BRB (Brigade de Repression du Banditisme – or the Banditry Repression Brigade), a specialised Paris police unit experienced in handling high-profile thefts, with investigating the heist. Former police officer Pascal Szkudlara, who previously worked in the BRB, told Reuters that the unit is experienced in such cases, and handled the 2016 Paris theft of media personality Kim Kardashian’s engagement ring, worth $4m. Szkudlara said he was “100 percent” confident that the thieves would eventually be caught. Police are expected to review surveillance camera footage going back weeks in an attempt to identify suspicious people in and around the premises. However, time is limited because if the jewels are recut, they will never be returned to their original form, even if the thieves are caught. Have there been other robberies in European museums recently? The Louvre robbery comes amid a recent spate of jewellery thefts from other museums in Europe. Recent incidents include: September 2025: Museum of Natural History, France On September 30, a 24-year-old Chinese woman was arrested in Barcelona after stealing six gold nuggets from the Museum of Natural History in Paris. The gold nuggets were worth about 1.5 million euros ($1.74m). The woman was arrested while trying to dispose of melted gold – it is unclear who may have melted it. The museum’s alarms and security system had been disabled in a cyberattack, but it is also unclear whether the thieves were the ones behind the cyberattack or
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